Aggression and oxygen uptake in Siamese fighting fish.

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ABSTRACT: Oxygen uptake/gram/hour (V[O.sub.2]) was determined for Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, denied access to the surface either in mirrored or non-mirrored (control) test vessels. Aggressive responses by fish in mirrored vessels resulted in higher V[O.sub.2] across a temperature range of 20 to 36[degrees]C. V[O.sub.2 ] was greater in higher temperatures in both the mirrored and control groups, and was significantly higher ([alpha] = .01) in fish in mirrored vessels.

KEY WORDS: Betta splendens; oxygen; mirrors; aggression

INTRODUCTION

The Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, suborder Anabantoidie, family Belontiidae, is an air-breathing fish. It has a labyrinth organ that lies behind its gill chamber. These fish take in atmospheric air and extract molecular oxygen with this structure. It also uses dissolved oxygen (D.O.) within its gill structure from its surrounding water environment. Males of this species are used in behavioral studies to examine stimuli that cause aggression. One such stimulus is the appearance of a male Betta within the area of another male of the same species. To examine this type of behavior Bettas have been placed in containers separated by a glass partition, which allows the fish to see each other, and their responses are noted. Another method to observe aggressive behavior employs a single male fish in a container with one or more mirrors placed around the container to allow the fish to see their reflection in the mirror. Using the mirror technique, Colyer and Jenkins (1976) observed that male Bettas produced an increase in ventilation (opercular movements). Metabolic costs in terms of respiration due to aggression is not reported for Bettas.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the aggressive behavioral response reported for this species results in a measurable increase of V[O.sub.2]/gm/hr.

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